Apparatus for producing and using cold vapors



Feb. 21, 1928.

G. F. NELSON:

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AND'USING COLD VAPORS Filed Oct. 25. 1924 QT/ n JWHZ Z 5 r 6 Patented Feb. 21', 1928 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. NELSON, or BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, AssIoNOR, B-Y M sNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO ruaox COMPANY, or DENVER, COLORADO, A CORPORATION or coLonAnO.

APP ABATUS FOR PRODUCING AND USING COLD VAPOBS.

Application filed October 25, 1824. Serial No. 745,828.

This invention relates to apparatus for producing and using cold vapors, and 1t particularly concerns an apparatus suitable for use in treating skin ailments, such as resented to the Patent Otlice in my app leation entitled Method for treatin skin ailments, filed October 25, 1924, erial No. 745,829. I

I have discovered that skin infections or ailments may be almost instantly counter-' acted by treating the infected portions by the application of a cold producing medium to the extent that the infected skin is frozen to a peculiar white color just preceding blistering or burning. For the successful treatment of these skin ailments, I have found that considerable care must be exercised to arrive at this degree of temperature characterized by the peculiar white color.

Ifthis color is not reached the treatment will not be entirely eifectlve, and 1f this white color is exceeded, the flesh or skin will be burnt or. blistered,'and more harm.

than good experienced.

an a aratus for roducin and a plying a cold Prheclium. This devic may lie in the form cf a container in which an expanding gas-producing material is containe Suitably attached to the container is a nozzle by which the.vapors or 'coolin medium may be appliedto'an infected sur ace. 7

It is another object of this invention to .providein a device of the character de scribed a means for causin a-flow of gas through the nozzle thereof.

comprise a means for creatin a pressure in .the container, thus forcing t e .gas through the nozzle.

It is also an object of this invention to provide in a device of the character described, means for promoting the formation of a cooling medium of expanding gas. This may comprise a gasifying chamber in which the gas-producing medium flows. Adjacent.

to the gasifying chamber is situated heating means which causes the gas-producing medium to expand into gaseous form, as t enters the chamber. Also to'assist in theforming of gas, I provide a turbulence chamber through which the gas-{producing medium passes to enter the gasi ying chamber. In

-this chamber the gas-producingmedium is broken up into small particles which readhis means may tion to provide in a device of this char-,

acter a means for preventing the gas-producing medium from flowing through the nipple before it has formed into a as. To

accomplish this, I provide a means or regu' latmg pressure in the contamer. It'Wlll bev seen that if gas-producing material flows through the nozzle, it is an indication that pressure is excessive and forces the gas-producing medium through the gasifying chamber too quickly to be gasified. By adjusting the'regulating pressure means, pressure may be reduced as desired-to give the medium more time in the presence of a heatdispersing medium to be converted into an expanding gas.

It is another object of this invention to provide a means for varyin the temperature of the heatin element. this manner I may control t e rate of production of gas. Other objects and the advantages-of the inv ention will be made evident hereinafter. It-is an object of this'invention to provide Referring to the drawings which are for illustrativepurposes only, and in which I preferred embodiment of my inshow a vention,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through an apparatus embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an-elevational view taken at right angles to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 2. v Fig. 4 is a section taken as indicatedby the line 44 of Fig}.1 1. A J Fig. 5 is a view s owing a meansfor. controlling the temperature of the heating element employed in this modification ofmy ving an this evacuated space being for the purpose of. heat-insulatingthe chamber 313. A plug :in Fig. 7,

the pin moves sidewardly,

member 17, having a tapered portion 18, is inserted into the itapered'mouth 19 of the container 11. For providing a gastight seal between the mouth 19 and the tapered portion 18,-I provide a packing member, as indi catcd at 20. For retaining the which are arranged o inter-engagewith lug portions 22 formed in the upper end of the mouth of the container 13. As clearly shown the plug is inserted into the mouth and-rotated slightly. The pin, by this -rotation, sloping face 23 of each lug 22 moving the pin from the position indicated by the dotted lines 24 into the position indicated by the full lines inlFig. 7. ,It will be seen that as it is forced downwardly by the face v23, this being effective in securing the plug member tightly in the mouth of the container.

An outer dome 25 having a threaded portion 26 is screwed onto the large cylindrical portion 27 of the plug member 17 the outer dome 25 havin heat-dispersing fins 28 extending radial y therefrom, as shown 1n Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Situated inside the outer dome 25 is an inner dome 29 having a thin wall 30 and an upper button portion 31 formed at the top of the dome. This button 31 engages with the inner wall of the outer dome dome 25 and is for the purpose of spacingthe thin wall 30 away from the inner face of the outer dome member, so as to provide an annular turbulence chamber 33. Extending through a hole in the button 31 and a hole in the upper portion of the outer dome 25 is an egression tube 34 having an inner annular lip 35, which is brought into engagement with the outer face of the inner 29, and is clamped thereagainst by means of a nut 36, this arrangement serving to secure the inner dome 29 in place within the outer dome 25. As shown in Fig. 1, the extremelower portion of the inner dome 29 is provided wlth a multiplicity of openings 38.

Secured on the extending end of the e ression tube 34: is a nozzle 39 having a cut portion 40 and a flattened portion 41 for spraying'the expanded gas. Secured betweenv the-up or face 43 of the cylindrical portion 27 of t der. 44 ofethe outer idome 25 is a partition plate-A6,. which serves to form a gasifyin g -chamber47 {within theinner dome member 29, the lower edge of the inner dome 29 en-- gaging with-the upper faceof the partition :member 26.

Disintegrators inithe form of ribbons, of fine :wire mesh 48' are arranged spirally in the turbulence chamber; 33, -these;.dis1nte-. ratorscbeing for the'purpose of. giving turnle'neelto has-producing material in a manner to breaE it up, and to assist in the gasifyplug in place I provide pins 21 on the tapered portion 18,

is caused to ride along the lower.

e plug 17 and the lower shoul ing thereof, as this gas-producing material passes through the turbulence chamber 33. A gas-producing medium tube 50 extends from a point near the bottom of the chamber through the partition 46, and connects with the upper portion of the turbulencechamber 33, being secured as shown in Fig. 1 to the thin wall 30 of the inner dome member 29, this tube 50 serving as a meansfor introducing gas-producing material into the turbulence chamber 33.

Means for promoting gasifying of the gas producing material as it passes into the gasifying chamber 47 is provided, as shown in Fi 4, in the form of a heating coil 53 sit- 80 uate in an annular channel 54;, provided in the'cylindrical portion 27 of the plug 17, the heating coil 53 being situated below the partition member 46. Terminals 55 ,of the eating coil 53 extend to the exterior-of the cylindrical member 27 and are arranged for attachment, as shown in Fig. 4, with an electric cord 56.

F or varying the heat of the coil 53,1 provide in the electric cord 56, as shown in Fig. 5, a rheostat element 58 having an arm 59 which may be swung in either direction to control the current being supplied through the cord 56 to .the coil 53.

A pressure relief means is provided in the form of a bent tube 61 which is secured in an opening 62 in the c lindriea-l portion 27,- as by the conical en 63 thereof, this opening 62 having communication with the interior of the chamber 13. On the extending end of the bent tube 61 isconnected a flexible tube 65 which may extend to a suitable exhaust receptacle or the like, not shown. An escape shut-oil valve is pro-' vided in the form of a securingband 67, 105 which is placed upon the container 11, as shown, and has an outwardly bent portion 68. On a pin 69 secured between the side walls 70 of the outwardly bent portion 66 is a thumb clamp 72. The thumb clamp 72 is 110 arranged to constrict the flexible tube 65 to prevent a passage of gas thereto from the chamber 13 by depressing the thumb clamp.

Disposed in the line of flexible tubing is a pressure regulating means in the form 115 of a T body 73. As clearly shown in Fig. 6, in the branch 74 of the body 73 is provided a valve which comprises a ball 75 which is held against a seat 76 by means of a spring 77. The pressure of the spring against the ball 75 is regulated by means of a cap78'which is advanced or retracted on the threaded end 79 of the branch- 74 to effect variation in the compression .of the spring77.. I In operation,v the useof the device just described is substantially as follows:

i The plug me'mbe'r is removed flQn'l the mouth 19 of the receptacle and the receptacle; is filled, asindicated at 81, with a suitable liquid air.

nuance gas-producing medium. This (gas-produm mg medlum is preferably liqui oxygen or After the container has been filled, as indicated at.81, the plug is again inserted and locked in place, as previously described. As the liquid oxygen boils, due

to the taking on of heat, gas is formed in the upper part of the chamber which may escape therefrom through the bent tube 61 a and the flexible tube 65 to a suitable exhaust.

When it is desired to use the apparatus which isof such a size that it may conveniently be held in the hand of an operator, the thumb clamp 72 may be depressed so as to prevent an escape of the gas forming in the u per, portion "of the chamber 13' through t e tubing 65. It will be seen that g of the turbulence chamber 33.

the closing of the relief passage causes a pressure to form within the chamber 13. The pressure as it forms. in the chamber 13 forces liquid through the gas-producing medium tube 50 and into the u per portion s the liquid passes through the turbulence chamber 33, it is caused to take a very tortuous path and is broken up into small particles by its contact with and passage through the disintegrators 48.

As the liquidpasses from the lower end of the turbulence chamber 33 through the openings 38, it will taken on heat produced by the heating coil 53, thus changing the liquid into a (gaseous form. The ex anding gas, produce from the liquid, ma then pass to the egression tube 34 an from thence through the nozzle 40, being sprayed throu h the flattened portion 41 thereof.

uring the use of the apparatus it is found that some liquid is sprayed through and the chamber 47 is due to an excess of pressure in the chamber 13. By rotating the cap 78 of the regulating means 73,.the

pressure on the ball by the spring 77 isreduced and the ball may be forced away from the seat 76 by the gas pressure in the,

chamber 13 with greater facility, thus reducing the pressure in the chamber 13 and reducing the flow of liquid through the chambers 33 and 47.

If the ocassion demands the supplying of more expanding gas than the device may at that time be providing, this additional supply may be had by increasing the current supply to the heating coil' 53 by means of the rheostat 58, thus causing more heat and consequently a more rapid gasifying of the liquid. To increase the flow to take care of the demand, the cap 78 isfscrewed downgas-producin wardly so as to create agreater pressure in the chamber 13 which causes a greater flow of liquid throu h the chamber 33 into the gasifying cham er 47 and the nozzle 40.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the device presented by m invention serves to very efficiently provi e an expanding gas or cooling vapor. It will be seen that it may be readily regulated to provide more or less gas by regulating the flow of electric current throu h the heating coil b use of the rheostat am? the re ulator 73. he ap ratus is of a size an sha e convenient or holding in the hand. T e infected .area being treated'.may be kept under close observation. f I claim as my invention: Y 1. In an apparatus of the class described,

the'combination of: walls forming a chamber, said chamber being arranged to contain a gas-producing medium; walls forming a gaslfymg cham er; manually operable flowcreatmg means whereb said gas-producing medium is caused to ow into said "gasifying chamber; and heatin means operable independently of atmosp eric temperature for contributing to the gasifying of said gas-producing medium in said gasif'ying chamber.

2. In an apparatus of the'c'lass described, the combination of: walls forming a chamber, said chamber being arranged to contain a gasroducing medium; walls forming a gasifymg chamber; manuually. operable flow-creating means whereby said gas-producing medium is caused to flow into said gasifyin chamber; heating means operable indepen ently of atmospheric temperature for contributing to the gasifying of said medium in said gasifying chamberan means for varying the capacity of said heating means.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of: walls forming a gasproducing medium chamber, said gas-producing chamber being arranged to contain a gas-producin medium; walls forming a turbulence c amber, said medium passing thereinto from said gas-producing medium chamber and being separated into particles therein; walls forming a gasifyinsr chamber into which said medium flows from said turbulence chamber and is gasified therein; and means for using said gas.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of: walls forming a gasproducing medium chamber, said gas-pro-- turbulence chamber, said medium passing thereinto from said gas-producing medium chamber and being separated into particles thereinwalls forming a gaslfymg chamber into which said medium flows from said turbulence chamber. and is gasified thereinmeans for promoting the gasifying of sai medium; and'meansforusing said gas.

5. In'an apparatus of the class described, the combination of: walls forming a gasproducin medium chamber, said gas-pro ducing ciamber being arranged to contain a gas-producing medium; walls forming a turbulence chamber, said medium passing thereinto from said gas-producing medium chamber and being separated into particles therein; walls forming a gasifying cham ber into which said medium flows from said turbulence chamber and is gasified therein; a heating element for promoting the gasifying of said medium when said medium passes into said gasifying chamber; and means for using said gas.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of: walls forming a gas producing medium chamber, said gas-producing chamber being arranged to contain a gas-producing medium; Walls forming a turbulence chamber, said medium passing thereinto from said gas-producing medium chamber; a disintegrator situated in said turbulence chamber for separating said mediuin into particles; walls forming a gasifying chamber into which said medium flows-from said turbulence chamber and is gasified therein; and means for using. said g 7. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of: walls forming a gasproducing medium chamber, said gas-producing chamber being arranged to contain a gas-producing medium; walls forming a turbulence chamber, said medium passing thereinto from said gas-producing medium chamber; a disintegrator situated in said turbulence chamber for separating said medium into particles; walls forming a gasifying chamber into which said medium flows from said turbulence chamber and is gasified therein; means for promoting the gasifying of said medium; and means for using said gas.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of: walls forming a gasproducing medium chamber. said gas-producing chamber being arranged to contain a gas-producing medium; walls forming a turbulence chamber in which said medium is separated into particles; means for causing said medium to flow into said turbulence chamber; walls forming a gasifying chamber into which said medium flows from said turbulence chamber and is gasified therein;

a and means for using said gas.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of: walls forming a gasproducing medium chamber, said gas-producing chamber being arranged to contain a. gas-producing. medium; walls, forming a turbulence chamber in which said medium is separated into particles; means for causing said medium to flow into said turbulence chamber; wallsforming a gasifying chamber into which said medium flows from said turbulence chamber and is gasifiedtherein; a heating element for promoting the gasifying of said medium when said medium passes into said gasifying chamber; and means for using said gas.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of: walls forming a gasproducing medium chamber, said gas-producing chamber being arranged to contain a gas-producing medium; walls forming an opening in said chamber through which gas forming on said gas-producing medium may escape; means for "constricting said opening so as to create a pressure and cause said medium to flow into said turbulence chamber; walls forming a asifying chamber into which said medium ows from said turbulence chamber and is gasified therein; and means for using said gas.

11. An apparatus as in claim 10 in combination with means for varying the rate at which said medium flows into said turbulence chamber.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of: a container providin a gas-producing medium chamber; a pu adapted to be inserted into amouth of said container, said plug providing a gasifyingchamber; a gas-producing medium tube connecting between said gas-producing medium therearound, said gasifying chamber and said turbulence chamber being in communication with oneanother; a gas-producing medium tube extending from said gas-producing medium chamber to said turbulence chamber through which said gas-producing.

medium tube said gas-producing medium flows; means for causing said gas-producing medium to flow through said gas-producing medium tube; and means for promoting the asifying ofsaid gas-producing medium as 1t enters said gasifying chamber.

14. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of: a container providing a. gas-producing medium chamber adapted to contain a ggsproducing medium; a plu adapted to inserted into a mouth of sai container; an outer dome secured to said plug; an inner dome secured inside said outer dome, said inner and outer domes providin a gasifying chamber and a turbulence chamber; a nozzle secured to said inner and outer domes in communication with said asifying chamber;'a disintegrator arran e in said turbulence chamber; a gasro ucing medium tube extending from sai gas-producing medium chamber and connecting to said inner dome in communication with said turbulence chamber; a pressure relief tube connected in communication with said gasproducing medium chamber; and means for closing said imbe in a manner to cause a pressure in said gas-producing medium chamber, thereb causing said gas-producing medium to ow through said gas-producin medium tube, said turbulence chamber an into said gasifying chamber where it is converted into gaseous form.

15. In an apparatus of the class described,

. the combination of: a container providing a gas-producing medium chamber adapted to contain a as-producing medium; a plu adapted, to be inserted into a mouth of said container; an outer dome secured to said plug; an inner dome secured inside said outer dome, said inner and outer domes pro viding a gasifying chamber and a turbulence chamber; a nozzle secured to said inner and outer domes in communication with said asifying chamber; a disintegrator arran e in said turbulence chamber; a gas-pro ucing medium tube extending from said gas-producing medium chamber and connecting to said inner dome in communication with said turbulence chamber; a pressure relief tube connected in communication with said producingmedium chamber; means for gas-producing medium as it enters said gasifying chamber.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Berkeley, California, this 18th day of October, 1924.

GEORGE F. NELSON.

gasv c os- -1ng said tube in a manner to cause a pressure 

